Jimmie Turner (202) 720-8998jimmie.turner@usda.govBilly Cox (202) 720-8998billy.cox@usda.gov
WASHINGTON, Jan. 29, 2010 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture today invited state departments of agriculture in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to submit applications for grant funds under the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program-Farm Bill.
USDA announces the availability of approximately $55 million for block grants to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture). USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) administers the program.
Each state that submits an application that is reviewed and approved by AMS will receive a minimum grant amount of at least $100,000, or up to one-third of 1 percent of the total amount of funding made available in fiscal year 2010, whichever is greater.
In addition, AMS will allocate the remainder of the grant funds based on the value of specialty crop production in each state in relation to the national value of specialty crop production using the latest available cash receipt data.
Instructions to apply for fiscal year 2010 grant funds are available in the Feb. 3, 2010, Federal Register, or on the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program website at http: www.ams.usda.gov/scbgp.
Applications must be received between Feb. 3, 2010, and not later than July 29, 2010.
AMS encourages states to develop projects solely to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops pertaining to the following issues affecting the specialty crop industry:
-- Increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops;
-- Improving efficiency and reducing costs of distribution systems;
-- Assisting all entities in the specialty crop distribution chain in developing Good Agricultural, Good Handling and Good Manufacturing practices, including cost share arrangements for funding audits of small farmer, packer and processor systems;
-- Investing in specialty crop research;
-- Enhancing food safety;
-- Developing new and improved specialty crop varieties;
-- Eradicating pest and plant health issues; and
-- Fostering organic and sustainable production practices.
States may wish to consider submitting grants that increase the competitiveness of specialty crop farmers, including Native American and disadvantaged farmers. Increasing competiveness may include developing local and regional food systems, and improving food access in underserved communities.
For more information about USDA’s Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” initiative go to: usda.gov/wps/portal/knowyourfarmer?navid=KNOWYOURFARMER.
The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is authorized under Section 101 of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note.) and amended under Section 10109 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, Public Law 110-246 (the Farm Bill). SCBGP-FB is currently implemented under 7 CFR Part 1291 (published March 27, 2009; 74 FR 13313).
For more information, call Trista Etzig at (202) 690-4942; or e-mail: trista.etzig@usda.gov.
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